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Best Hot Hatch - SVT, Civic Si, GTI, RSX, Mini, Beetle...

894 messages,  Last post on Nov 12, 2008 at 6:09 PM

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What is this discussion about? Acura RSX, Honda Civic, MINI Cooper, Volkswagen New Beetle, Ford Focus, Volkswagen GTI, Coupe, Hatchback

#51 of 894 ? by muffin_man Mar 09, 2002 (7:00 pm)
Isn't the GT-S pretty much in the same price range as the RSX?   I'm very fond of the new 1.8T, so I think you made a great pick, please post if you make any modifications to your suspension.
#52 of 894 My 2002 VW GTI 1.8T by mbeards2 Mar 09, 2002 (7:19 pm)
I pick up my indigo blue GTI in a few days. MSRP was $20950, I paid $19,750: base model with sunroof, monsoon audio and cold weather package. Once I test drove one and felt the silky smooth power rush with the high quality interior, I was drooling. Even though the upcoming VR6 motor option will have 201 hp, I think the 1.8T is just as fast due to lower weight,plus its cheaper,has better mileage and is easy to hop up. Buy a $400 chip to get 200+HP and you have a potent fast and furious hatchback! The handling is average among the group but there are many hopups available. For 2002 VW dropped the price a little, added 16" wheels and CD, 2 more air bags, a better warranty and best of all 30 more horses! VW March 4.9% financing saves hundreds too. Consider this, a normal 7% rate would cost me $20 more per month which adds up to $1200 more for the car!(60months X 20 per month) The Acura RSX-s is hard to haggle the price down, so I think you end up paying $23,650. On carsdirect.com the loaded celica is $2000 cheaper at $21,688.
#53 of 894 VR6 by muffin_man Mar 09, 2002 (7:45 pm)
I'm not sure what the appeal of the VR6 is going to be with only 21 more horsepower. The last GTI VR6 ran $4,000+ over the 1.8T.
#54 of 894 By the way by badtoy Mar 10, 2002 (10:06 am)
I just noticed that the Celica GT-S is missing from this comparison. Any particular reason?
#55 of 894 is it? by muffin_man Mar 10, 2002 (3:38 pm)
mbeards mentioned the GT-S, or do you mean the discussion title?
#56 of 894 I meant the discussion title -- sorry. by badtoy Mar 11, 2002 (8:31 am)
I must confess I haven't read every post since the beginning, so I guess I missed that one.
#57 of 894 Hi badtoy- Well... by revka Mar 11, 2002 (10:42 am)
I can always add/remove vehicles from the title here. And since you brought up the issue, I've just added Celica GT-S to the title.   Revka Host Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
#58 of 894 revka by seminole_kev Mar 11, 2002 (11:03 am)
what about the Geo Metro
#59 of 894 by revdrluv Mar 11, 2002 (11:35 am)
Metro isn't even warm, as far as performance goes it is frigid. One of the absolute worst cars I have ever had the displeasure of driving. I don't know why they even bother selling this model. GM has pretty good small cars but they don't even bother selling them here. I can't blame them but I think things may be changing. Several auto makers seem to be planning to turn US perception of small cars around in the near future.   I tested the GTI. It is a great car and now you get much better performance for a lower price too. If these changes had been made sooner I might have gotten one. Compared to the many japanese sport coupes I tested I thought this car had much more character even if it is not as hard edged. Have they started offering in dash CD changers/players yet?   If you make any aftermarket alterations though I have heard from friends who own VR6's you void the warranty on the car.
#60 of 894 pickup 2002 GTI tomorrow... by mbeards2 Mar 11, 2002 (3:36 pm)
My GTI came with CD/cassette in dash standard. Edmunds rated the GTI 2nd out of 6 coupes. And that was the 2001 model, for 2002 VW has jumped from 150hp to 180hp, added side curtain air bags,more standard equipment(CD,16" alloys) and has a better warranty. Edmunds 2001 0-60mph figure of 8.5 is high since I have seen 7.1 - 7.6 for the 150hp engine everywhere else. Maybe edmunds did not turn off traction control??? The new 180hp=0-60mph in 6.5-6.8sec depending where it is tested. My current car is a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire convertible(fun car) with the 2.4 DOHC 150hp motor/5 speed. Sunfire 0-60 is 7.9 seconds and believe me...the GTI throws you back in the seat with high torque and HP bigtime. At the same time the VW motor is silky smooth and thrifty. VW base model is LOADED with extras: floor mats, a cabin air filter, alarm, traction control,heated mirrors, and ABS are all standard in the base model. If you are looking for a coupe around $20K, you should test drive the GTI 1.8T. The upcoming 201hp VR6 with 6 speed is heavier, around $1500 more, gets less gas mileage and has a heavier front end. Also, the VR6 engine is harder to hop up, while you can get a $400 chip to bump the 1.8T to over 200hp/240 lbs of torque!

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